Cuckoo wrasse

Goldsinny-wrasse

Three-spined stickleback

Lumpsucker

Tadpole fish

Topknot

Greater weever

Eelpout

Shorthorn sculpin

Green crab

Edible crab

Common starfish

Edible sea urchin

Dahlia anemone

Plumose sea anemone

Common whelk

Ballan wrasse

Facts

Latin

Labrus bergylta

Size

70 cm

Food

Crustaceans, snails and mussels

Habitat

Boulder reefs and seaweed meadows

IUCN

Least concern

Location

Eastern Atlantic

Map

Get to know the Ballan wrasse

The Ballan wrasse and corkwing wrasse look very similar to one another, but you can tell them apart by the fact that the Ballan wrasse does not have the black spot near the caudal fin and behind the eyes, as the corkwing wrasse does.

Changes gender

The Ballan wrasse changes its gender over the course of its life. All young Ballan wrasse are female, but when they are between the ages of 5 and 14, they change their gender and become male.

Meet a Ballan wrasse in nature

Since the Ballan wrasse prefers rocky coasts, it is not usually found in Denmark, but rather in Sweden and Norway. But you may be fortunate enough to encounter this beautiful fish on a snorkelling trip in the reefs along the east coast of Jutland, or along Zealand's north coast.